How long do your helmets last?

[psycoreefer]

I don't know how anyone can justify spending that kind of money on a helmet! I know, you'll say, "What is your brain worth to you?", but if I can get a helmet that passes the same inspections, and fits well for under $200, why would I pay 3 times that much for a different brand? Especially if I'm going to get a new one after 2-5 years (as this poll seems to indicate is the norm).

The way I see it, they are all made from basically the same components: expanded polystyrene, inner padding, and an outer shell made of either poly or carbon fiber. Other than fit, style, and a few small details, they are all basically the same. There has not been a single quantifiable study that shows that any particular brand of helmet stands up to an impact any better than another (if you know of one, please let me know). I'd much rather spend my money on my bike than a high-dollar hat.

I agree, I always comparison shop for helmets, my 150 dollar helmet passed the same DOT and Snell tests your 500 dollar helmet did. The biggest difference is in the options, a more expensive helmet might be quieter, be lighter, have better venting, etc. But to me those things just aren't worth the extra money.

I also don't buy the "if you drop it you have to buy a new one" thing, just a way for helmet manufacturers to make more money, no way an empty helmet hitting the floor causes enough damage to mater.

[cywelchjr]

I agree, I always comparison shop for helmets, my 150 dollar helmet passed the same DOT and Snell tests your 500 dollar helmet did. The biggest difference is in the options, a more expensive helmet might be quieter, be lighter, have better venting, etc. But to me those things just aren't worth the extra money.

I also don't buy the "if you drop it you have to buy a new one" thing, just a way for helmet manufacturers to make more money, no way an empty helmet hitting the floor causes enough damage to mater.

Agreed, especially since a helmet rep told me that it didn't matter. That said, there is some debate as to whether Snell helmets are safer, and in fact some significant evidence to the contrary, and that actually many DOT helmets are actually safer because of Snell's hardness standard with is said to transfer to much of the impact to the brain, where DOT buckets with slightly softer foam actually tend to absorb more of the impact force.

[CatatonicBug]

Agreed, especially since a helmet rep told me that it didn't matter. That said, there is some debate as to whether Snell helmets are safer, and in fact some significant evidence to the contrary, and that actually many DOT helmets are actually safer because of Snell's hardness standard with is said to transfer to much of the impact to the brain, where DOT buckets with slightly softer foam actually tend to absorb more of the impact force.

Motorcyclist Magazine's article, "Blowing the lid off" was the first real study on that concept. Lost them several advertisers for publishing it, from what I understand.

[Kronk]

I agree, I always comparison shop for helmets, my 150 dollar helmet passed the same DOT and Snell tests your 500 dollar helmet did. The biggest difference is in the options, a more expensive helmet might be quieter, be lighter, have better venting, etc. But to me those things just aren't worth the extra money.

I also don't buy the "if you drop it you have to buy a new one" thing, just a way for helmet manufacturers to make more money, no way an empty helmet hitting the floor causes enough damage to mater.

They just say this to cover their butts.. Thats so you can't sue because it says if you drop it, don't worry! then you get a head injury,

Thats just like my Helmet on the fire Dept. The wanings say no stickers, replace after an impact.... If a sticker decreases the preformance, then I don't really want to trust it... but again... just a case of C.Y.A

[Crazcnuk]

My current helmet is ~16 years old. My passenger helmet is ~26 years old.

I was thinking it's time to buy a new one, then I bought a bike that matches the color...

A freind gave me a newer (about a year) half helmet that I wear occassionaly, but I don't think it's DOT approved.

[crazy steve]

Motorcyclist Magazine's article, "Blowing the lid off" was the first real study on that concept. Lost them several advertisers for publishing it, from what I understand.

I saw that a number of years ago (and also posted it to this site), and have since religiously avoided Snell-rated helmets. Anybody who rides should read that article.

How long do I keep mine? Until the foam gets 'loose'. It will break down over time, and I don't want the helmet flying off in a crash. That seems to be around 7-8 years, but does vary with manufacturer. The Bell I had hung in there for about 11-12 years, but started 'shedding' the thin inner liner into my hair and I replaced it.

'78E original owner

[earl G]

a study on new helmets. right out of the box. not in the sun for years or in the cold. how about a study on 5 year old helmets or 10? that should be the test.

[The Lorax]

Both my Full Face and 3/4 are at least 5 years old. I will wear them until they stop fitting right or some other nonsense requires me to replace them. I wear a helmet almost all the time, but I often wonder why. I've heard all the it only takes a second to get clipped; true, I also know that any trauma I receive from a wreck doing more than maybe 20 mph is likely going to be fatal (God didn't build me with durability or longevity in mind). I have certain health issues that dictate that I have no earthly business anywhere near a motorcycle, that said, I choose to live my life, if it's a long one, I'll scratch my head and say "huh!", if I give up the ghost tomorrow, it's all good because it's been a hell of a ride. So, in a nutshell, it doesn't matter if I wear some $500 + awesome lid or a $50 special from Wal Mart, it will have the same possibility of saving my hide.... none. that's all I got, have a nice day and ride safe

[65oldsboy]

My Shoei is about 20 years old. I'm thinking about buying something newer. I have searched the internet and haven't really found any useful safety comparisons written recently. I guess what I would like to see is a sequel to "Blowing the Lid Off." They don't make any of the helmets in that comparison any longer.

[fredintoon]

Riding in used hats.

I wear a helmet because there's laws about it and they keep the bugs & rain off but it wouldn't bother me to ride helmetless. OTOH, I'd hate to ride without gloves. Weird tricks your mind plays, eh?
Helmets? Bell fullface I bought at the 1984 Toronto bike show for $80. 5 years ago I moved up to a used but newer Bell fullface that I swapped a guy a pair of mufflers for.
Then I bought a just-about-new Nolan flipface at a real good price from a list member who had the wrong head shape for it. Fits me just fine. Gotta love the flipface, ain't dropped my glasses once since getting it. Also love the push-click strap closure. Sure beats fiddling with those effin' D-rings.

[Crazcnuk]

I wear a helmet because my brain is worth saving. I tried not wearing one and it feels horrible.

I never wore gloves, except at temps around freezing, and then I wear thinsulate ski gloves, until we were going over Stevens pass, in the snow and my freind's wife couldn't stand my bare hands and made me wear gloves. Since then I wear them,when she is around (she was nice enough to give me a pair of gloves), and sometimes when she isn't. Those gloves are now 16 or 17 years old.

I can't stand full face helmets, may as well take the car, I guess that's why I never drop my glasses.

A freind gave me a year old half helmet, that I don't think is DOT approved (I think he stuck the sticker on himself) when he bought a new one. It has one of those 'buckles' and I can't stand it. I have no problem with D rings, the buckle has to be lined up just so, or it won't latch.

I often do up the d-rings with one hand while cruising down the road.

My coat is about 20 years old, and the denim vest I wear over it is 26 years old. My boots were thrown away by a friend, I rescued them, had them resoled ($8) and wear them 3 or 4 times a year. They are at least 20 years old. I have T-shirts going back almost 30 years. We won't mention underwear....ooops :^)

[CatatonicBug]

When looking for my last helmet, I discovered that Cycle Gear won't even sell a helmet that has the quick-release buckles. They claim they are unsafe. I have no idea where they got that information from, but I have no problems with the D-rings either. However, they gotta have the snap to secure the end of the strap, so it doesn't whip my neck!

[firemanstan7]

I currently have 1 new helmet and one that is 10+ years old. The 10+ is for occasional use only or for on the ATV where my speeds are pretty slow anyway.
As Kronk pointed out Firefighting helmets must be replaced after a strike similar to a 6 foot drop, or after 10 years (yup the year of manufacture is part of molding process). The materials used in both types of helmets are the same basic materials.

Motorcycle helmets have the foam instead of the suspension system and that needs to be inspected separately from the shell.

Paint or stickers without manufacturer approved adhesives can cause breakdown of the helmet shell materials.

The funny thing about all of this is that the only way to actually test a helmet's ability to protect your noggin is to destroy it in a hit test! Convenient for the manufacturers!

[planedick]

I wear a helmet because there's laws about it and they keep the bugs & rain off but it wouldn't bother me to ride helmetless. OTOH, I'd hate to ride without gloves. Weird tricks your mind plays, eh?
Helmets? Bell fullface I bought at the 1984 Toronto bike show for $80. 5 years ago I moved up to a used but newer Bell fullface that I swapped a guy a pair of mufflers for.
Then I bought a just-about-new Nolan flipface at a real good price from a list member who had the wrong head shape for it. Fits me just fine. Gotta love the flipface, ain't dropped my glasses once since getting it. Also love the push-click strap closure. Sure beats fiddling with those effin' D-rings.

Hey Fred,
Those push-click thingies are illegal her in Can'taffordya. Are you sure they're legal there?

[dpotter58]

My current HJC only lasted 4 months...
Glad I had it though.